Three local swimmers ended up with podium finishes after the first swim meet of the season last Saturday afternoon.
The Westlock Gators hosted their meet June 7 at the Westlock Aquatic Centre, and coach Ann-Marie Carnegie the results were better than she could have asked for.
“Lots of the things we didn’t see in practices all of a sudden showed up in meets,” she said. “I think we have a competitive spark in a lot of the swimmers they didn’t even know about until they got there.”
Most impressive for Carnegie was how everyone posted personal best times in at least one of their events — no small feat considering the times they beat were from last year, which they posted after three solid months of training. Personal best times are rare for the first meet of the season.
Three swimmers earned overall podium finishes. Jared Lunger earned gold in the 9-10 boys category, Nathanael Tabert took a silver medal in the 15-17 boys category, and Olivia Nyal won bronze in the six-and-under girls category.
For Lunger and Nyal, this was the first time in their competitive swimming careers that they’ve ended on the podium. Tabert had been on the podium before, but to win silver being so young in the age group is an impressive feat.
“Considering he’s 15 in the 15-17 age group, it was nice to see him finish on the podium,” Carnegie said.
Several other swimmers gave impressive performances, as well, even if they didn’t walk away with medals around their necks.
Paige Snyder earned first place in the individual medley, Marissa Tabert finished Top 5 in all of her races, Mackenzie Lunger got third place in the long breast stroke, Sierra Miller got second in the short freestyle and Reid Casavant placed this in the short backstroke.
“It was a good day,” Carnegie said.
The Gators have seven more meets to compete in this season, followed by provincials for those swimmers who qualify. There won’t be much chance for them to rest, as they head up to Whitecourt to compete June 14.
